Oneworld member and Qantas partner Malaysia Airlines will stop flying to Amsterdam and Paris next year and instead leverage its existing partnerships with KLM and British Airways, as well as signing a new codeshare deal with Emirates.
Malaysia Airlines' MH16/19 Amsterdam service will be scrapped from January 26 2016, along with the MH20/21 flights to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport.
Amsterdam-bound passengers will be funnelled onto KLM, a codeshare partner of Malaysia Airlines which flies non-stop from Kuala Lumpur at a similar time to the cancelled MH service.
Travellers bound for Paris could instead fly with Malaysia Airlines to London Heathrow on the Airbus A380 and then connect with Oneworld partner British Airways to complete the final leg of their journey.
From February 1 2016, Malaysia Airlines will also begin codesharing on Emirates’ flights from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai and then onward to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, providing passengers with more choice over when and where they travel.
“The strategic partnership paves the path towards an integrated customer proposition offering for both airlines,” said Malaysia Airlines CEO Christoph Mueller.
“The improved connectivity will enable Malaysia Airlines customers to reach up to 38 destinations in Europe on a daily and even double daily basis for key European cities such as Zurich, Rome, Munich, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Barcelona.”
Passengers with Malaysia Airlines flight bookings to Amsterdam and Paris are advised to call 132 627 to discuss their travel plans and to make alternate arrangements.
Also read: Malaysia Airlines cuts flights to Australia
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Nov 2011
Total posts 243
Surprise they didn't leverage the existing relationship they have with Etihad Airways.
Hopefully with the new partnership with Emirates, looking forward to see Earn and Burn miles on the Enrich and Skywards programs.
29 Mar 2014
Total posts 78
Perhaps EK was a better fit because it's larger, and it means that it will have a common partner along with QF.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 382
This airline is a true basket case in need of major repair.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 273
What the heck else do you think they're trying to do here?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 382
Fix this massive problem, hence my statement!!
08 Mar 2013
Total posts 28
They follow SriLankan in axing their routes to Europe and keeping London as the sole destination.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Dec 2011
Total posts 95
Another shrinking airline.
03 Dec 2015
Total posts 3
I think Emirates 777 might be mistaken about Sri Lankan dropping all its Europe flights, except for London, as both their website and oneworld timetables still show flights from Colombo to Paris, Frankfurt and Rome into 2016.
Qantas
13 Jun 2015
Total posts 141
Very, very sad news Following the loss of MH17 last year. It's gonna be really tough for MAS.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2011
Total posts 186
Mueller has a tough job ahead, but it's nice that they haven't just thrown in the towel.
08 Mar 2013
Total posts 28
Ian D...Not sure you have seend this -
https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/41975-srilankan-to-axe-euro-australian-plans
Like Malaysian, Only London is being retained.
29 Mar 2014
Total posts 78
So now GA has a larger European network than MH? Especially now that from March next year, it's reportedly beginning four weekly service to London Heathrow, dropping Gatwick and the Amsterdam stop. Although again this is GA, and it is subject to change, as always.
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